Charter school students watch town meeting from the sidelines

Matthew Belson

Friday

May 11, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 11, 2007 at 11:16 AM

The assignment for the eighth graders at the Lighthouse Charter School was straightforward enough: Try to influence an issue on the floor of town meeting. It’s a difficult task for any 14-year-old, considering they have four more years until they can legally vote.

“We challenge the kids each spring to change their towns' history and some do,” said John Stewart, who teaches eighth grade social studies at the charter school.

Every year eighth graders participate in a project that requires them to thoroughly research a local issue and attend town meeting in their respective towns. “The project is a chance for them to push the envelope of community involvement, or at the very least [get] exposure to democracy,” said Stewart.

The assignment for the eighth graders at the Lighthouse Charter School was straightforward enough: Try to influence an issue on the floor of town meeting. It’s a difficult task for any 14-year-old, considering they have four more years until they can legally vote.“We challenge the kids each spring to change their towns' history and some do,” said John Stewart, who teaches eighth grade social studies at the charter school. Every year eighth graders participate in a project that requires them to thoroughly research a local issue and attend town meeting in their respective towns. “The project is a chance for them to push the envelope of community involvement, or at the very least [get] exposure to democracy,” said Stewart.The Cape Codder sat down with five eighth graders, Alana McGillis, Nick Drisco, Kate Probolus, and Alex Cook, all 14, and Maddy Niles, 13, during their lunch break Tuesday to hear about their experiences at town meetings.“It was long,” said Nick, who attended Brewster Town Meeting Monday. He was surprised the process was not as strict as he expected and he was interested to see how people could get up to speak about an article.Kate was also at the Brewster Town Meeting and said she was amused by some of the comments people made and the occasional lack of focus.“Some people would get up to speak and had no idea what they were talking about and then sit down,” she said.Alana's experience at Orleans Town Meeting was both exciting and frustrating.She was allowed to speak and voice her opposition to a proposed amendment that would have reduced community preservation funds allocated to build new ramps at the Finch Skateboard Park. The amendment was defeated and Orleans voters passed the entire community preservation article.Buoyed by her initial success at being allowed to speak, Alana was rebuked by Orleans Town Moderator Duane Landreth at later attempts to comment on articles (for a minor to speak a town meeting a registered voter must make a motion and majority of voters must recognize the request to speak).“There should be teen representation [at town meeting],” said Alana. “Some of these issues affect us and we know a lot about them and we should have a say.”It was a sentiment shared by her classmates, who were quick to point out that many teenagers are involved with community service projects in their towns.“People often tell us the youth aren’t involved enough in anything,” said Alex, who agreed that an opportunity should be given to youth to at least speak at town meetings.At Eastham Town Meeting, Maddy and Alex were interested to see how the issue of the municipal water system would be debated.“I think it is an issue the town needs to address because the water quality is degrading and we should do something about it,” said Maddy.Another observation the teens made while attending their town meetings was the absence of more teenagers and young adults.“I was surprised that most of the people were older and middle aged,” said Maddy.Alana said she felt this was another reason why more youth should get involved and attend town meetings and learn about issues in the community.“We are the ones who are going to be running town meeting,” said Alana, looking at the future.